Personal Touches

Today’s functional and efficient workplace is a far cry from the Dilbert-like cubicles and endless corridors of the past. Dark, isolating spaces are being replaced with flexible ones that foster collaboration and can be customized. Given all the time we spend in our offices, creating a pleasant work environment with the right tools and comfortable furnishings will inevitably have a positive influence on motivation, performance, and health. Herman Miller’s and Humanscale’s ergonomic chairs, Allsteel’s space-saving workstation, and Sony’s PlayStation Portable—to help pass the time during a commute or a well-deserved break—are just a few of the well-designed new workplace products that are anything but institutional.